Halsey froze, feeling awkward all of a sudden. She hadn’t meant to bump into Shaun-she was actually trying to avoid him. Somehow, she ended up walking right into him instead.


    As she looked up at his striking face, memories from the night before hit her like a wave. He had held her down and kissed her…and called her “Chelsea.”


    Halsey quickly pushed Shaun away, then took two steps back herself.


    Flustered, she stammered, “S-Sorry.”


    Shaun noticed her flushed face and how uneasy she looked. He smirked a little and said with a teasing tone, “It’s fine, really. No big deal. Why are you so nervous?”


    Halsey suddenly realized he was right. They had already broken up. While she was still all over the ce, he had clearly moved on and was calm as ever. It was obvious he had gotten over it.


    She felt pathetic. She should be like Shaun, cool andposed. Besides, with Madeline around, there was no way they wouldpletely avoid each other.


    Taking a breath, Halsey tried to pull herself together. “Sorry about that.”


    Shaun grabbed a bowl and some utensils. “Let’s eat first.”


    Madeline tugged Halsey down into a seat. “Come on, Halsey. Time to eat.”


    Halsey nodded. “Okay.”


    Shaun checked Madeline’s temperature. She still had a bit of a fever.


    He said, “You’ve been running this fever on and off. I’lle by for the next couple of days to take care of you.”


    Madeline beamed. “Alright!”


    Since Shaun was already looking after her, Halsey figured she wasn’t needed. “Since your brother’s here with you, I think I’ll head home.”


    She really didn’t want to be in the same room as Shaun. It was just too ufortable.


    Madeline looked surprised. “You’re not staying? Are you really busytely?”


    Halsey gave a small smile. “Even if I stay, I wouldn’t be much help. Your brother’s doing all the work. I’m not super busy, but I’ll be starting a short course at school soon. Calvin helped me get a spot.”


    Before Madeline could respond, Shaun cut in, “Maddy, if Halsey doesn’t want to stay, just let


    3 1/2


    her <ol><li> We wouldn’t want to get in the way of her love life.” </li></ol>


    Love life? What was he even talking about?


    Halsey looked across the table at Shaun. “It’s not that I don’t want to stay…”


    “But you want to leave, don’t you?”


    “I…”


    She had nothing to say.


    Shaun added, “It’s fine. Go ahead. I’ll take care of Maddy. Even if you’re sitting here, I bet your heart’s already off with Calvin.”


    Halsey was getting frustrated.


    Madeline blinked in confusion. “Who’s Calvin?”


    Halsey said, “Calvin is-”


    Shaun cut in again. “Calvin’s a college professor. Hees from a good family and is well- educated and good-looking-he’s definitely her type!”


    Halsey stared at Shaun,pletely thrown off. Why did it feel like he was mocking her? What had she done to offend him?


    Madeline said, “Well, Calvin sounds great. Halsey, you should go and enjoy your romance with the professor!”


    As soon as those words left her mouth, Madeline felt a sharp re aimed at her. She looked and saw Shaun ring at her.


    up


    Unfazed, Madeline red right back. If he couldn’t talk nicely, then he couldn’t expect others to, either. She wouldn’t allow anyone to mess with Halsey.


    Halsey could feel how strange the atmosphere at the table had be.


    She didn’t want to be the reason the two of them started arguing, so she quickly said to Madeline, “There’s no rush with school. I’ll stay a couple more days with you. I’ll leave once you’re fully better.”